These findings represent a small sample of the numerous quality recognitions Catholic Health received as part of Healthgrades’ latest study.

The report, American Hospital Quality Outcomes 2013: Healthgrades Report to the Nation, evaluates how approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide performed on risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for nearly 30 of the most common conditions and procedures from 2009-2011.

Among the highlights for Catholic Health:

Mercy Hospital ranked #1 in New York State and among the top 5% in the nation for Spine Surgery.

Kenmore Mercy ranked #2 in New York and among the top 5% in the nation for Joint Replacement Surgery.

Sisters Hospital ranked #3 in New York and among the top 10% in the nation for Bariatric Surgery.

“These independent quality ratings let healthcare consumers know that the care they receive in Catholic Health is among the best in the nation, the top in our state and the highest locally,” said Joe McDonald, president & CEO of Catholic Health.

“Our commitment to quality and patient safety is at the heart of everything we do and we thank our physicians and our associates for all their hard work to make these recognitions possible.”

Hospital outcomes and complication rates are important to consumers when making decisions about their healthcare. According to a study conducted by Harris Interactive for Healthgrades, 90% of Americans in 27 top designated market areas agree they would be more likely to choose – or not choose – a hospital if they could learn ahead of time their chances of complications for a certain procedure.

For its analysis, Healthgrades evaluated approximately 40 million Medicare hospitalization records for services performed from 2009-2011 at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide. The study found patients treated in hospitals receiving five stars have, on average, 61% lower risk of experiencing a complication while in the hospital than if they were treated by hospitals receiving one star (based on 2009-2011 data across nine common
procedures and diagnoses such as total knee replacement, gallbladder, and spine surgeries). Additionally, 183,534 in-hospital complications could have been avoided if all hospitals performed at a 5-star level.

Healthgrades independently measures hospitals based on data that hospitals submit to the federal government. No hospital can opt in or out of the analysis, and no hospital pays to be measured. Healthgrades risk adjusts for patient demographic characteristics and clinical risk factors, thereby taking into account how sick patients are upon admission.

More information on the American Hospital Quality Outcomes 2013: Healthgrades Report to the Nation, including the complete methodology, can be found at www.healthgrades.com/quality.

Other Recognitions

Other notable Healthgrades recognitions for Catholic Health in 2012 include:

Mercy Hospital of Buffalo

America's Best 100 Hospitals

One of HealthGrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery™ in 2013

One of HealthGrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery™ in 2013

One of HealthGrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Prostatectomy™ for 2 Years in a Row (2012-2013)

Cardiac

Five-Star Recipient for Coronary Bypass Surgery for 3 Years in a Row (2011-2013)

Orthopedic

Recipient of the HealthGrades Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award™ in 2013

Recipient of the HealthGrades Spine Surgery Excellence Award™ in 2013

Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Spine Surgery in 2013

Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Overall Orthopedic Services in 2013

Ranked #7 in NY for Overall Orthopedic Services in 2013

Ranked #1 in NY for Spine Surgery in 2013

Ranked Among the Top 10 in NY for Overall Orthopedic Services in 2013 (Ranked 7 in 2013)

Ranked Among the Top 10 in NY for Spine Surgery for 3 Years in a Row (2011-2013) (Ranked 1 in 2013)

Five-Star Recipient for Overall Orthopedic Services in 2013

Five-Star Recipient for Spine Surgery in 2013

Five-Star Recipient for Hip Fracture Treatment for 2 Years in a Row (2012-2013)

Five-Star Recipient for Back and Neck Surgery (except Spinal Fusion) in 2013

Five-Star Recipient for Back and Neck Surgery (Spinal Fusion) for 3 Years in a Row (2011-2013)